$1.25 Million Jury Verdict for State Trooper Whose Left Leg Was Partially Amputated in Motorcycle Accident

A Mississippi jury has signed a verdict for $1,250,000 in favor of a highway patrolman whose left leg was partially amputated in a motorcycle accident that was alleged to have been caused by two construction companies that left a low ramp across a road.

Highway Patrolman Marvin Henderson filed a lawsuit after he hit the ramp obstruction at night while returning from a gym. He was thrown from his motorcycle and his left foot and lower leg were crushed. Unfortunately, his leg was amputated below the knee eleven months after this occurrence. He now uses a prosthetic leg.

The ramp in question covered a conduit that the construction companies were using to move water and sewage across the road. The drainage system was blocked by barricades during the day but not at night when this incident took place. Henderson is now a highway patrol investigator.

Under the state law, the jury was allowed to assign responsibility to each of the parties. The verdict was reduced because 0f the jury’s finding that he was partially responsible for his injury. The report of this case notes that Jackson County, Miss., is a politically conservative jurisdiction, which means that an appeal may take place. The verdict there was considered high even though the injuries sustained by Henderson were catastrophic. It is so interesting how areas of the country view the impact of devastating injuries and damages so differently.

According to a court administrator, this verdict is one that is unusual for this county. Henderson is now 37 years old with his life dramatically altered forever. The attorney representing Henderson was Morgan Holder.

It was reported that two years after this incident, Henderson stopped an armed robbery in process. He was doing a driver’s license road test at a mall when he heard a woman cry for help. Henderson exchanged gunfire where a man was fleeing. According to the report of this, even with a prosthetic leg, Henderson was able to chase down a woman who was responsible for the getaway car. This was an incredibly brave act.

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